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21 Spring / Summer 2019 Aspects of Land
agriculture is using GPS-equipped
devices. These enable the mapping of pest
infestations, soil conditions and nutrient
levels, among other metrics. GPS also
enables mechanised field operations that
are more efficient as they reduce overlap
and omissions.
Another alternative to satellites are
drones. These are more versatile and tend
to be easier and cheaper to use for smaller
scale farm businesses.
The efficiencies provided by precision
agriculture will more than pay for the
investment over time. However, as the
gains are only marginal, the payback takes
longer the less land that is covered.
Precision plant breeding
A newly-developed,
precision, plant breeding
technique could fast-track
crop improvements to lower
costs and increase yields.
“The technique is known as gene
editing,” explains Emily Norton of Savills
Rural Research.
“Because gene editing
only alters the DNA
sequence within a plant,
it is less controversial
than genetic modification
that introduces DNA”
Scientists refer to the technique as
CRISPR – an acronym derived from,
“clusters of regularly interspaced
short palindromic repeats”. These are
stretches of a genome containing spaces
between the building blocks of the DNA.
Researchers found it was possible to snip
the gene using an enzyme as a pair of
molecular scissors. By altering the DNA
sequence it is possible to select desirable
gene functions such as disease resistance.
“Because gene editing only alters the
DNA sequence within a plant, it is less
controversial than genetic modification
that introduces DNA from other
organisms,” says Emily.
It is also a simpler technique than
genetic modification and, therefore,
a more cost-effective solution to fast-
tracking crop improvements, she adds.
However, while the US courts have
already approved gene editing for
development, a ruling by the European
Court in 2018 means the technique will
fall under the same regulatory framework
as genetic modification.
Floating farms
The world’s first floating
dairy farm will begin
producing 800 litres of milk
a day from a city-centre site
in the Netherlands, this spring.
The 1,200 square metre sustainable farm
floats on a pontoon in Rotterdam harbour
and was constructed by engineering
company Beladon. Land prices close to
the urban market were at a premium so
Beladon opted for cheaper and otherwise
unused space in the city-centre waterway.
The farm’s herd of 40 cows will live on
the top level of the multi-tiered building
and feed on others’ waste, such as spent
grain from nearby breweries and cut grass
from the city’s parkland. Additional forage
will be grown on a lower tier of the farm
using LEDs as the artificial light source.
Concerns over pollution from the unit,
were addressed with the installation of a
sophisticated membrane in the floor.
“Further floating farms are planned,
with the next one likely to be constructed
in Singapore harbour,” says Simon
Blandford of Savills Food and Farming.
n To find out more about farm business
innovations, contact Thomas Brunt, Winchester,
01962 857 407,
Precision breeding is done by altering genes
An artist’s impression of the floating farm in Rotterdam that will start producing milk this spring
BELADON, SHUTTERSTOCK, iSTOCK